Bayeux

On the afternoon of June 6th General de Gaulle said: “The supreme battle is underway. It is, of course, the Battle of France and the Battle for France. For the sons of France, wherever they are, and whoever they are, the simple and sacred duty is to fight the enemy by all means at their disposal.”

Bayeux, the first town to be liberated in mainland France

...“In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on all other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.” General Eisenhower, June 6th 1944

British troops entered Bayeux without difficulty on the morning of June 7th

British troops entered Bayeux without difficulty on the morning of June 7th. There, too, was Maurice Schumann, the spokesman of Free France (one of the voices of the BBC, he landed on June 6th at Asnelles). Without needing to fight, the troops captured the coastal battery of Longues-sur-Mer, and took its garrison prisoner.

On June 14th 1944, de Gaulle was on board the torpedo boat La Combattante. He landed on the beach between Courseulles and Graye and made his way to Bayeux to meet the local populace. He was acclaimed by the crowd.